Box end folding machine



Oct. 29, 1946. A. H. mNEs ET AL B ox END FOLDING MACHINE l F;.led`1\l1a.rch` 16, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS A. H. RINEs x-:T AL

Box END FOLDING MACHINE Oct. 29, '1946.

Filed March 16, '1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 j {NVENTo Rs BY a/bmr ATTORNEYS A. H. RINES ETAL BOX END FOLDING `MACHINE Filed Mann-16, 1944 5v sheets-sheet s Oct. 2.9, 1946.

- s: If 38 lt:

gli El? f 'INVENTQRS' /,er// Rines John Hara/ e e am rma ATTORNEYS @eff oct. 29, 1946.

A.r H. RlNEs ETAL 24,410,393 BOX END FOLDING MACHINE Filed March 1e, 1944 5 sheets-sheet 4 Oct 29, 1945. A.A H. RINEs ET AL BX END FOLDING' MACHINE Filed March 16, 1944 l5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 29, 1946 Box END FOLDING MAonmE Albert H. Rines, Amesbury, and John Hardy and Daniel J. OKeefe, Newburyport, Mass., assignors to Hytron Corporation, a corporation of Massachusetts Application March 1.6, 1944, Serial No. 526,742

Claims.

This invention relates to a box end folding machine for the sleeve-type box wherein flanged box ends are inserted into a box.

Heretofore the packaging of merchandise in a sleeve-type box where the flanged ends are inserted into the box and thereafter secured has beenV done by a number of different operators some of whom fold both ends and insert one end into the box body, thereafter other operators pack the merchandise in the box and insert the other end. The hand operation of folding and inserting the ends of the box is comparatively slow and acomparatively large number of operators must be utilized.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a machine which will accomplish th'e hand operation now used in al sleeve-type box for packaging merchandise,

- Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which may be utilized by the operator who places the merchandise in the box so that while the operator has this box in his hand he may insert the end mechanically.

Another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement so that both ends of the box may be inserted at one time simultaneously after the merchandise has been placed in the box.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine which may be power operated so that the effort in providing the mechanical motion necessary need not be physically applied.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an arrangement so that opposite edges of the end of the box are engaged and definitely positioned in place quickly and without manual handling.

' With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figs. l, 2, and 3 are sectional views somewhat diagrammatic, illustrating the operating parts of the machine in three successive positions of operation which these parts assume in performing their function;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view with the deck plate of l the machine broken away and illustrating moving parts of the machine which are illustrated in the three previous figures;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the actuating member as engaging an arm through which the mechanism of the machine is actuated;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the actuating member as having moved the arm to adifl ferent position;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the guide for the box4 end flanges shown by itself; Fig. 8 is a perspective View illustrating the main shaft, the actuating member thereon, and

the two members which engage the box ends;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of these box.

end engaging members;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the box end parl-l tially inserted into the box body;

Fig. ll is a perspective View broken away an illustrating this same box end with its engaging', members in the position which theyassume in having moved the end into the position'shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a perspective View with the box'end.

moved to completely inserted position; and

Fig. 13 is a perspective vie-w of a fragment-alA portion of the box with its end prior to any foldj ing and also illustrating fragmentallythe guides.

which engage the box-end flanges,

In proceeding with this invention, we provide l a deck or table support on which a box which is L to have its ends folded into the body of the box,

is positioned. This table or deck is suitably supported on legs and has the most of its operating mechanism, so far as bulk is concerned, posiy tioned beneath it. The table-is so arranged that an operator may be seated at the machinev and the actuation may be controlled by' a foot pedal. The deck or supporting plate is provided with.

openings through which the members which do the folding of the box ends swing upwardly to engage `the box endswhich are positioned over the openings to then fold both box endssimultaneously into the box body. The box ends arev usually provided `with flanges extending out-V wardly from each box end which are engaged. and folded by means of a guide during the movement of the ends into the body. In order to effectively position both edges of each box end we have one member which engages the hinged edge and another member which engages the end at a location distant from the hinge for thispositioning and by this arrangement effectively positions: each end at right angles tothe axis vof the body.`

lWith reference to the drawings l5 designates the deck plate upon which the box I6 is posi-l tioned in order that its ends Il may be folded in-l to the body of the box. The box body is desig-` nated generally I8 (see Fig. 13) while the ends f1, as shown in Figs. 10 to 13, are provided with flanges I9, 2t, and 2|, and 22, the flange 22 be` ing hingedgaiongrhe-doaed une 2 3 (Eig. is). to`E the box body. It is desired that this end l1 be the body of the box. Each of the ends are acted' upon at the same time by similar members which operate in opposite directions soas to accomplish this result. We will describe the unit for. one box end and it will be understood that the other unit is similar except caused to rotate in the opposite direction.

A shaft (see Fig. 8) is supported in bearings 26 and 21 (Fig. 4) which shaft has provided at its forward end, either integrally therewith or separately attached and xed thereto., a member designated generally 28 (see Fig. 8), which is joined to the shaft by a portion 29 positioning the member 28 so that asv rotation of the shaft occurs it will swing upwardly above the supporting plate l 5 to engage'the box end. This member 28 is cutout as at 29a providing supporting arms 3l] and 3| which support a pivot pin 32 upon which the projecting portion 33 (see Fig. 9) of a second box-end engagingv member, designated generally 34 and shown in perspective at Fig. 9, is hingedly mounted. This member is generally L-shaped with a block portion 35 slotted as at 35 and provided with an opening 31.

An auxiliary shaft 38 (see Fig. 8) also has a bearing in this member 28 and the connecting portion 2S!A and is provided at one end with a fixed arm 39 while intermediate its ends it is provided with an arm 48 iixed to this shaft 38 and located in a slot 4| in the member 28. This arm 40 is slotted as at 42 and a link 43 connects this arm 42 to the member 34 by pinsv 44 at one'end extending through the arm 48 and a pin 45 at the other end extending through the opening 3B in the block 35 of member 34. A spring 46 attached as at 41 (Fig. 2) to the member 34 and by means of the hook 48 (see also Fig. 8) to the member 28 serves to swing the member 34 about its pivot 32 until its block portion 35 engages the member 28 as shown in Fig. 8.

An actuating member designated generally 58 (see Figs. 8 and l1) and comprising a pulley 5I, rotatably mounted on the shaft 25 and having an abutment 52 with an added friction wheel 53 mounted therein for engagement with the arm 39, is carried by this pulley 5|. A flexible member, such as chain 54, is wrapped about the drum portion 55 (see Fig. 4) and is held thereon by a suitable flange 58 so that as this chain is pulled upon, the pulley will rotate on the shaft and engage'the arm 39. The shaft 25 is equipped with sleeve 56a (Fig. 4) which is held securely thereonl -by means of set screws 51 so as to fix the sleeve on thel shaft. A suitable fiexible member58 is attached thereto as at 58 and wrapped aboutithe sleeve while a spring 68 is attached to this flexible member and also to the framework of. the machine so as tov rotate the shaft tending to withdraw the member 28 from the box to` a position beneath the supporting deck plate. This spring is. of a character which will apply less tension than the spring 48 which tends to swing the member 34 about its pivot 32. The rotation dueto the action of this spring is limited by the abutment 52 engaging the shoulder 62 Of a bary 63 which is bolted to the top of the deck plate as at 64. The bar also has an overhanging arm 65 providing a finger 86 carrying a stop 61 for the limit of rotation of the shaft 25 and its carrying members in the opposite direction as will be further pointed out. This stop 61. may be adjusted by loosening set screw 68 which holds it in adjusted position.

At a location over each of the openings through which the members 28 and 34 extend a guard 1D (Figs. 1, 2,' 3) is provided which extends upwardly from the deck l5 to a location substantially over the end of the box I6. This is of generally arcuate shape. This guard 1l! supports the guide 1| which is shown in face View in Fig. 7 and consists of the horizontal portion 12 and two vertical portions 13 and 14, all of which are beveled as at 15 (see Figs. 2, 3, and 13) while this member 1I is secured in place to the guard by suitable bolts at 15 (shown in Figs. 2 and s).

The description thus far has been directed to the mechanism for folding inwardly the lefthand box end as illustrated in'views l to 4. A duplicate mechanism for operating on the righthand end of the box is also illustrated and which is a duplicate in all respects as heretofore described. Similar reference characters except for the addition of the prime will therefore be used to characterize any of the duplicate right-hand mechanism. The actuating members 58 and 50' (Figs. 2 and 3) are actuated by means of the flexible members 5'4 and 54 which are operated simultaneously by reason of being connected to a yoke as by means of the ears 8i and 8l. This yoke is moved downwardly so as to rotate the actuating members 58 and 58 by the movement of post 82 which is connected to the yoke 8G through leaf springs 83.

This post 80 may be moved downwardly by any suitable means, such for instance as by a foot pedal but is more desirably actuated by means of a solenoid designated 84 into which the post 82 extends as a core and which will be drawn downwardly into the solenoid when the same is energized. Energy may be supplied to this solenoid by the line 85 and 85 (see Fig. 3), the latter of which has a mercury switch 81 in the line so that when the post 82 nears the bottom of its stroke the yoke 80 will swing the switch 81 downwardly by means of its being mounted on the tiltable platform 88, hinged as at 89 and returned to horizontal by spring 30, so as to break the circuit and permit the post to again raise to starting position through the action of the springs 68 and 60' which will pull the yoke upwardly. A suitable switch 9| may be located convenient to the operator so that it may be closed until the post 82 has reached the bottom of its stroke when thearm 39 of the auxiliary shaft 38. The spring 46v will be sufciently strong so that rotation of the shaft 25 will occur before the auxiliary shaft 38 will turn in its bearings. Accordingly, the'shaft 25 will turn bringing the member 28 from thev position shown in Fig.,1 to the position shown in. Fig. 2'whereby the flange 22 of the box` end. I1Y

will be engaged and the box end forced into the body I8 of the box I6 as shown in Fig. 2. At-this point the member 28 will have reached the limit of its stroke having forced the flange 22 so that it lies against the deck I and therefore the shaft 25 can turn no further. Force, however, being applied to the arm 39, will then start to rotate the shaft 38 in its bearings and start to swing the second member 34 from its position as shown in Fig. 2 to its position as shown `in Fig. 3, thereby engaging the edge of the box which is away from the hinge connection and forcing it into the sleeve-like box so that this end I1 will be at right angles to the wall of the box as shown in Fig. 3. As the member 34 reaches this position, the arm 39 will engage the stop 61 (dotted lines Fig. v5) mounted in the projecting portion 66 so as to limit any further movement of this auxiliary shaft in its bearings. At this point the mercury switch will be tipped to break the circuit and the solenoid being de-energized will permit the post 82 to ascend or move upwardly and the parts returned to starting position after which the box may be removed and a fresh box with unclosed ends positioned for a subsequent similar operation.

It will be apparent that as the box end illustrated in Fig. 13 moves upwardly due to engagement by the member 28 its flanges, I9, 28, 2| will be engaged by the several guiding faces and swung from their position in the plane of the member I1 to a position at right angles to this end I'I as shown in Figs. 10, 11, and 12.

A hole 49 in the box end engaging member 34 registers with hole 49' in the box so that the pins of a tube which project through these holes may be received therein without damaging them.

We claim:

1. In a box end folding machine, a support for the box, box end engaging means comprising a pair of movable members, means for initially moving said members together for movement of the box end and subsequently stopping one of said members while the other member continues to move the box end into final position.

2. In a box end folding machine, a support for the box, a member mounted to swing about an axis for engagement with the box end adjacent its hinge connection to the body of the box, for moving the box end into the body, a second member rotatably mounted in relation to the first member also engageable with the box end adjacent its edge distant-,from its hinge connection to the body of the box for moving such edge into the body, means to initially move both members together and subsequently the second member alone in moving the box end into the box body.

3. In a box end folding machine, a support for the box, a member mounted to swing about an axis for engagement with the box end adjacent its hinge connection to the body of the box for moving the box end into the body. a second member rotatably mounted in relation to the first member and eccentrically to its axis of rotation also engageable with the box and adjacent its edge distant from its hinge connection to the body of the 4box for moving such edge into the body, means to initially move both members together and subsequently the second member alone in moving the box end into the box body.

4. In a box end folding machine, a, support for the box, a pair of box end engaging means one for each end of the box and each comprising a pair of movable members, means for initially moving said members together for engagement of the box ends and subsequently stopping one of said members while the other member continues to move the box end into final position. v 5. A machine for folding a box end comprising a supporting deck for the box lprovided with an opening therethrough, a main shaft rotatably mounted in bearings and provided with an eccentrically mounted member movable through one of said openings upon rotation of the shaft to engage the hingedledge of a box and move it into the box body, al spring for returningsaid shaft and member, a second member rotatably supported by the first member on an axis eccen tric tothe axis of said shaft and movable with reference to the first member to engage the edge of the box end distant from its hinge connection and move it into the box body, an auxiliary shaft carried by the first member located eccentric to the axis of the main shaft and provided with a pair of arms fixed thereto, a link between one of the arms and the second member for moving it about its axis of rotation upon rotation of the auxiliary shaft, a second spring of greater ten` sion than the main shaft spring for returning said second member,v an actuating member rotatable about the axisV of the main shaft to engage said other arm and initially move said auxiliary shaftv and both members thereon through said opening until the first member is limited vin its movement by the deck and to then move the second member with reference to the first member against the action of the second spring to further move the box end into the box body and means to move the actuating members.

6. A machine for folding box ends comprising a supporting deck for the box provided with openings therethrough, a pair of main shafts rotatably mounted in bearings each provided with an eccentrically mounted member movable through one of said openings upon rotation of the shaft to engage the hinged edge of a box end and move it into the box body, a spring for returning each shaft and member and a second member rotatably supported by each first member on an axis eccentric to the axis of said shaft and movable with reference to the rst member to engage the edge of the box and distant from its hinge connection and move it into the box body, an auxiliary shaft carried by each first member located eccentric to the axis of the main shaft and provided with a pair of arms fixedV thereto, a link between one of the arms and the second member for moving it about itsvaxis of rotation upon rotation of the auxiliary shaft, a second spring of greater tension than the main shaft spring for returning each said second member, a pair of actuating members each rotatable about the axis of each main shaft to engage said other arm and initially move the auxiliary shafts and both members thereon through said openings until the rst members are limited in their movement by lthe deck and to then move the sec-y ond members with reference to the first members against the action of the second springs to further move the box ends into the box body and common means to move both of the actuating members. A

7. A machine for folding box ends comprising a supporting deck for the box provided with openings therethrough, a pair of main shafts rotatably mounted in bearings each provid ed with an eccentrically mounted member movable through one of said openings upon rotation of the shaft to engage the hinged edge of a box end and move it .into the box body, a spring for returning each shaft and member and second member rotatably supportedby veach first Vmember:on.anaxis eccentric to .the axis-of saidsl-iaift and :movable with referencetothe first .member to engage the edge of .the boxend distant .from its hinge connection .and move it into the box body, .an auxiliary shaft carried by .each rst member located eccentric to the axis of the-main shaft .and provided witha pair vof arms xed thereto, a link between one Yof the-arms and the second member Afor moving it about its axis of rotation upon rotation of the auxiliary shaft, a second spring of `greater tension than the main shaft spring for returning each said second member, a pair of actuating members each rtatable about the axis of each main shaft to engage said other arm and initial-ly move the auxiliary shafts and both members thereon through said openings until the rst member is limited in `its lmovement by the deck and lto then move the second member with reference tothe rst member against the actionof the second spring to further move the box .ends into the box body and common means to move both of theactuating members in opposite directions to move the box -end engaging members toward each other.

8. A machine for folding a box .end comprising a supporting deck for the box provided with an openingI therethrough, a Vmain `shaft rotatably mounted in bearings and provided with .an eccentrically mounted member movable through said opening upon rotation ofthe shaft to-engage `the hinged edge vof a box ende-nd move it into the box body, a spring for returning said shaft and member, a second vmember rotatably supported by the rst member 4on an axis eccentric to the axis of said `shaft and vmovable with reference to the rst imember to `engage the edge .of the box end 'distant from its vhinge connection and move it into the box body, an auxiliary shaft carried Vby the first .member located eccentric .to the axis of the main shaft and provided with a .pair of arms xed thereto, a link bet-Ween one of the arms and the second member for moving it about its axis of rotation upon rotation of the auxiliary shaft, a second spring of Agreater' .tension than the mai-n shaftspring forreturning said second member, an actuating member rotatable about the axis of the main shaft to engage said other arm and initially move said ,auxiliary shaft and both members thereon through said opening .until the `first member .is limited in its movement by the deck and to then move the ,second member with reference to fthe rst member against the action `of the second spring to further move the box end into .the box'body, means to move the actuating member, and a A.guide standing upwardly from .said deck through which said member moves, said guide serving to fold flanges on the box end as the end Vis moved into the box body.

9. A machine .for vfolding `a box end comprising a supporting deck for the box provided with `an opening therethrough, a main shaft rotatably mounted `in .bearings and provided with an eccentrically mounted member movable through said opening upon rotation of the .shaft to engage the hinged edge of a box end and move it with .reference -to the 8 into-:thefbox .body, a, spring forreturningYsaid shaft `and member, a-second member rotatably supported vby--the rst member on an axis ec` centric tothe axis rof .said 'shaft and movable rst .member to engage the edge .of the box end distant from its hinge connection and .move it .into the box body, an auxiliary shaft carried by vthe first member .located eccentric to the axis .of the main shaft and provided vvith a pair of arms xed thereto, a link betweenone .of .the arms and the second-member .for V.moving its axis `of rotation .upon rotation of the auxiliary shaft, a second spring-.of greater tension than :the main shaft spring for returny ingsaid second members, .an factuating member rotatable about the .axis of the main shaft `to engage vsaid .other arm andinitially move said auxiliary shaft and both members thereon through .said opening until the lirst member is limited in its movement by the deck and to then move the second member with reference to the first member V.against the action of .the second spring .to ,further move the box end into the bex body, means .to .move the actuating member, a guide standing upwardly from said deck through which -said .members move said guide ,serving to fold anges on the ibox end ,as ,the end is moved into 4,the vbox body and aV guard .over Ysaid guide and deck opening.

.10. vA machine for folding box ends comprising a, supporting deck forthe box provided with openings therethrough, apair of main shafts rotatably `mounted .in .bearings -each provided with -an eccentiically mounted member movable through one of said openings upon rotation of the shaft to engage thehinged ,edge of a box end and move it into the box body, a spring for returning each shaft and member and a second member rotatably supported by each iirst member on anaxis eccentric to thefaxis of said shaft and movable withreference to the rst member to engage thev edge of the Ybox end distant from its hinge connection and moveit into the box body, an auxiliary shaft carried by each rst member located eccentric to the axis of the main shaft and provided with a pair of arms fixed thereto, a link between one of the arms and the second member for moving it about its axis of rotation upon rotation of the auxiliary shaft, a second spring of greater tensionv than the main shaft spring forreturning each said second member, a pair of .actuating members each rotatable about the axis of each main shaft to engage said other arm and initially move the .auxiliary shafts and both members thereon through said openings until the first members are limited in their movement by the deck and to then move the second members with reference to the rst members against 'the action .of the second springs to further move the box ends into the box body, means to move the actuating members, and a pair of guides standing upwardly from said deck through which each set of said members move said guide serving to fold flanges on thebox end as `the ends are moved into the boxbody.

ALBERT I-I. RINES.

JOHN HARDY.

DANIEL .J. OKEEFE. 

